ANGELA BIRD'S
Northern France
What to do and see within 90 minutes of Calais

WHAT'S ON IN NORTHERN FRANCE

March 2008

(entries in red indicate new additions)

	PLEASE NOTE This website is really just a supplement to Angela Bird's guidebook, Northern France: What to do and see within 90 minutes of Calais (left), which gives full details in its 176 pages of hundreds of interesting and off-beat tourist sites throughout the region. What you see on the website consists of either extra topics not covered in the book (Calendar, Restaurants, Travel routes, Internet links etc), or updated information (new tourist attractions open - or old ones closed) since the book appeared. For the complete picture, order Northern France through bookshops in the UK and Ireland, or from Amazon ; it is also on sale in good bookshops throughout Northern France.	The listings on this site are supplied in good faith, gathered by the author from various sources. However it is always wise to check details with organisers or tourist offices before making a special journey. The “département”, or county, is indicated by the following official figures: 59=Nord 62=Pas de Calais 80=Somme
Jacqueline, Colas and family in Arras town hall	As the season of “giants” is getting into its stride now, here is a link to the Fédération des Géants du Nord de la France - one of the sites that tells you the dates of the different parades. There is an interactive “Agenda des Géants” with dates for outings. Here is the site for La Ronde des Géants, which tells you about the history of giants in Belgium, France and other countries; click on “Agenda” to see a list of outings (tip: look for the French flag if you want an outing in France; not all of them are in the North, by the way).	Henri le Douanier in Godewaersvelde’s Musée Frontalière.
Until 20 May	Histoire, Histoire… A new exhibition space in the Fine-Arts museum shows the history of the town through paintings, drawings, gold- and silver-work, and a model of Dunkerque’s town hall.	Musée des Beaux-Arts, Dunkerque (59)
Until 25 May	Dunkerque, les défis de la sidérurgie sur l’eau Exhibition about the setting up of steel-making factories in Dunkerque from the early 20th century, near the port where the raw materials arrived in France. Films, photographs, models and (French) commentaries from the people of neighbouring Grande-Synthe who work in this industry today. Wed-Mon 10-12.45 & 1.30-6. 3€, children 2.50€, family 7.50€.	Musée Portuaire, Dunkerque 59 Tél. : 03 28 63 33 39
1 Mar-16 Nov	Fendre l’Ombre 2008 Strange wooden figures sculpted by Christian Lapie are scattered about the grounds of the former abbey, along with (until 18 May) some of his paintings inside the abbey’s museum. Mon-Fri 2-6pm; Sat, Sun 10-12 & 2-6 (28 Apr-28 Sept, daily 10-6). Admission free.	St Riquier, nr Abbeville, 80
2 Mar	Carnival	Berck-sur-Mer 62
24 Mar	Carnival d’été The “summer” carnival of Cassel sees the parade of both giants: Reuze Papa and his dignified consort Reuze Maman.	Cassel 59
29 Mar	Braderie d’Emmaüs Spring sale at the popular junk emporium near St Omer. 2.30-5pm.	Rue du Noir Cornet, St Martin au Laërt, nr St Omer 62.
29, 30 Mar	Salon du Tourisme et des Loisirs de Peronne An exhibition featuring local food, crafts, culture, heritage and leisure activities	Espace Marc Orlan, Péronne 80
29 Mar-11 May	Etaples hier et aujourd’hui Photographs and postcards contrast old views of Etaples with those of today. The fising village was much changed after bombing in World War II.	Musée de la Marine, Etaples, near Le Touquet 62

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NORTHERN FRANCE
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